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Thank you for writing. I understand how important it is for you to enjoy the Lakers games on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.

I am happy to inform you that DIRECTV is in discussions with the programmer and is confident we will come to an agreement to carry the channel and continue providing customers with their games. We hope to have an update closer to the start of the NBA season in October. While we are unable to comment on upcoming programming decisions, we are always reviewing our programming options to make sure we bring you the best TV experience possible.

We value your opinions about our programming, so I also have forwarded your request to DIRECTV management. While we cannot follow up with each customer individually, rest assured your voice is being heard and many of the changes we make are a direct result of the comments and suggestions we receive from our customers.

Meanwhile, you can find many games on your local channels, NBA TV (channel 216), TNT (channel 245), and ESPN (channel 206). Due to game availability restrictions some games may not be available in your area, so check our program guide at directv.com/guide for more information. For more information on watching the Lakers games online, go to http://www.nba.com/lakers/schedule.

In addition to live games, NBA TV will also be re-broadcasting many games, so check their schedule to find out when you can see your favorite teams. For more information on watching the Lakers games online, go to http://www.nba.com/lakers/schedule.

It's like driving down the highway and seeing a "SLOW: MEN AT WORK" sign. Three miles of orange barrels and not a hard hat in sight... So, yeah, I'm sure they have a room full of lawyers feverishly in discussions with Time Warner...

.................... There are none so blind as those who can not see it in HD........... Directv customer since January 2000...........

It's like driving down the highway and seeing a "SLOW: MEN AT WORK" sign. Three miles of orange barrels and not a hard hat in sight... So, yeah, I'm sure they have a room full of lawyers feverishly in discussions with Time Warner...

I wouldn't think it would be lawyers involved in the contract negotiations.

It's probably TWC SportsNet's executive's David Rone & Mark Shuken and D* Robert Mercer and some other Executive VP.

Both D* & TWC SportsNet head quarter buildings are located in El Segundo CA and the Lakers practice facility and team offices are in El Segundo also.

In a couple articles I've read they've said that Lakers Executive Business VP Jeanie Buss is good friends and has known TWC SportsNet president David Rone for awhile and it played a role in TWC getting the Lakers new TV deal.

Also contrary to what a lot of people believe the Lakers are quite involved with this new channels and have final cut say on the show's content on these channels and the hiring of personnel for this channel.

I wouldn't think it would be lawyers involved in the contract negotiations.

It's probably TWC SportsNet's executive's David Rone & Mark Shuken and D* Robert Mercer and some other Executive VP.

Both D* & TWC SportsNet head quarter buildings are located in El Segundo CA and the Lakers practice facility and team offices are in El Segundo also.

In a couple articles I've read they've said that Lakers Executive Business VP Jeanie Buss is good friends and has known TWC SportsNet president David Rone for awhile and it played a role in TWC getting the Lakers new TV deal.

Also contrary to what a lot of people believe the Lakers are quite involved with this new channels and have final cut say on the show's content on these channels and the hiring of personnel for this channel.

There are many lawyers and both companies will have them and specific people discussing the terms. I can say with a large amount of certainty any of the people you mentioned from TWC are not the ones doing the leg work. These people have entire companies to run and this is just a single aspect of it. They will be kept in the loop and I'm sure if the people they have feel that something is closer to getting done then they will get involved but if both sides are far away they have other things to do. Robert Mercer is Director of Public Relations for DIRECTV so he's the one who would communicate it not negotiate it.

The 5.6 million is TV households for LA as defined by Nielsen. Not my numbers. Look them up.

If TWC is trying to charge premium in SD and Fresno and Nevada, they are pretty much nuts. While maybe Lakers territory in the NBA scheme of things, Nevada is hardly LA. You are lumping secondary markets into the primary market.

Still, there is a difference between the Nielsen definition of a market area, and the market area of a sports team. And that of the Lakers is quite large. San Diego and Las Vegas have large amounts of Lakers fans in them, and San Diegans actually have been pissed off for YEAR that they couldn't get the games that were shown on KCAL9 as that is local to Los Angeles area only and not available on any provider in Los Angeles.

And perhaps there is a difference between primary and secondary markets. Let me put it a different way: The Lakers were shown to about 30 million people without having to pay for a NBA Package. I don't know how they would charge for San Diego, Palm Springs, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, etc.... but they are more part of the primary market than Hawaii and Nevada.

[Disclaimer] The definition of "soon" is based solely on DirecTV's interpretation of the word, and all similarities with dictionary definitions of the word "soon" are purely coincidental and should not be interpreted as a time frame that will come to pass within a reasonable amount of time.

So I emailed Directv today and made it clear I was very close to canceling service.

Here is the response I got via email:We hope to have an update closer to the start of the NBA season in October.

Same email that I got regarding PAC12. "We hope to have an update closer to the start of the football season".

Well, we know how that played out.

[Disclaimer] The definition of "soon" is based solely on DirecTV's interpretation of the word, and all similarities with dictionary definitions of the word "soon" are purely coincidental and should not be interpreted as a time frame that will come to pass within a reasonable amount of time.

Once they start putting hope into it they are hoping Time Warner changes their offer to what Directv wants regarding the Lakers Channel. It is never a good sign. It is safe to say it won't be on Directv at launch, the question is now will be will it be on by the start of the regular season.

Same email that I got regarding PAC12. "We hope to have an update closer to the start of the football season".

Once they start putting hope into it they are hoping Time Warner changes their offer to what Directv wants regarding the Lakers Channel. It is never a good sign. It is safe to say it won't be on Directv at launch, the question is now will be will it be on by the start of the regular season.

My guess is that it will be on for the first game AFTER the All Star break.

I really don't come here very often, but I do occasionally read about these "disputes."

I've come to a few conclusions:

1. All discussions here are academic.
2. DirecTV won't move unless they actually see a correlated customer decline; if DirecTV adds, we'll know the true reason behind quarterly customer numbers instead of the fluff they publish.
3. DirecTV will never admit number 2 in their "settlements."
4. There's a lot of people here hoping other people cancel for their benefit.
5. Ultimately DirecTV is hoping they're right; only time will tell.

Oh:

6. I really don't think Mr. White is a very good CEO, personally. Bookmark this and come back in two years.

There are many lawyers and both companies will have them and specific people discussing the terms. I can say with a large amount of certainty any of the people you mentioned from TWC are not the ones doing the leg work. These people have entire companies to run and this is just a single aspect of it. They will be kept in the loop and I'm sure if the people they have feel that something is closer to getting done then they will get involved but if both sides are far away they have other things to do. Robert Mercer is Director of Public Relations for DIRECTV so he's the one who would communicate it not negotiate it.

Correct. Mercer is in PR, not negotiating. Mark Shuken, by the way, came to TWC Lakers via DIRECTV. This is a small industry, everyone knows everyone at that level.

Correct. Mercer is in PR, not negotiating. Mark Shuken, by the way, came to TWC Lakers via DIRECTV. This is a small industry, everyone knows everyone at that level.

Nice info brought up here.

David Rone isn't just some executive involved in all facets of Time Warner.He is the specific president for TWC SportsNet and was hired because of his sports network industry background.He's worked for Fox Sports & Walt Disney in the past.

The problem is Directv's new stance regarding sports is Sports pack/ premier, stand alone ala carte or lastly ppv. They seem to be using this stance towards all new sports channels poping up right now. Which is what the Directv statement meant. They don't want to put it in a very low base package anymore. I would say the days of Directv being the sports leader are gone. Now if you live out of market the online packages except for NBA league pass are the way to go. I wouldn't expect it added anytime soon. Especially before the regular season starts. CSN Houston and FS New Orleans may be in the same boat.

Also this one from twitter from a Lakers beat writer.

Arash MarkaziVerified ‏@ArashMarkazi

DirecTV rep told me, "We plan to carry TWC SportsNet in a way that is affordable for everyone." Not sure when, but they'll have a deal.

A Lakersnation reporter is reporting that a deal is done between TWC and DirectTV:

Here is his twitter:

Jabari A. Davis ‏@RealTalkOnSprts

Found out Directv and TWC worked out their issues, and I will be able to watch every second of action from @ejchristian7 #BestNewsOfTheDay.

Take it for what it is worth. Could be legit or just someone trying to get followers.

Well, TWC SportsNet launches tonight at 7pm Pacific Time. I didn't want to take any chances and miss any Lakers coverage, including behind-the-scenes exclusives and such, so I signed up for Time Warner Cable last week.

I hope that D* does carry this network sooner than later, as I plan to cancel TWC as soon as that happens.